Dame Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters return to host West End Woofs (and Meows) 2026
by Best of Theatre Staff on Wednesday 22 July 2026, 11:01 am in West End News & Gossip
Stage icons Dame Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters return to co-host West End Woofs (and Meows), the annual live dog and cat adoption event, at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden on Saturday 15 August 2026.
Stage icons Dame Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters will return to co-host West End Woofs (and Meows), the annual live dog and cat adoption event, at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden on Saturday 15 August 2026 from 10.15am. Now in its fourth year, the ticketed event costs £10 per person, with money raised going towards the participating shelters; tickets are available at actorschurch.org.
Bringing together much-loved West End talent and their four-legged friends, West End Woofs (and Meows) works with participating shelters and rescue groups to benefit their charitable work. Dame Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters first teamed up to co-host a virtual edition during lockdown in 2020, and the event has since become an annual highlight of the West End calendar following live editions in 2023, 2024 and 2025. It takes its inspiration from Broadway Barks, which has been a howling success in New York for over 28 years.
“I’m so excited about this year’s West End Woofs! I’m proud to say it’s become such a successful annual event,” said Dame Elaine Paige. “Helping find forever loving homes for the wonderful dogs and cats who, for so many different reasons, have found themselves abandoned is very heartwarming. Nothing beats seeing them get the second chance they deserve.” Bernadette Peters added: “I am thrilled to partner again this year with my friend Dame Elaine for our fourth annual West End Woofs, celebrating and finding homes for our furry four-legged wonders who bring love and joy to humankind.”
The event begins at 10.15am with a ‘meet and greet’ with all the adoptable pets, before the animals make their West End debut on stage from 11.00am alongside stars from Hamilton, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Oliver!, Paddington and The Devil Wears Prada. Special guests include Bella Brown, Janie Dee, Richard Dempsey, Peter Egan, Cole Escola, Sarah Hadland, Bonnie Langford, Jak Malone, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb and Jac Yarrow, with more names to be announced.
The participating shelters and rescue groups are Pro Dogs Direct, Saving Saints Rescue, German Shepherd Rescue South, Noah’s Ark Dog Rescue, Home Run Hounds, All Dogs Matter, Peterborough Cat Rescue and Fetcher Dog, with all proceeds benefiting their work. West End Woofs (and Meows) takes place at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden on Saturday 15 August 2026 from 10.15am, with £10 tickets available at actorschurch.org.